Police quickly make arrest after hundreds of crosses damaged ahead of Memorial Day ceremony

HENDERSON, Kentucky -- Police in Henderson, Kentucky were able to quickly take a suspect into custody after a Memorial Day cross display was vandalized and hundreds of crosses were damaged early on Saturday morning, May 28th -- ahead of Memorial Day on Monday.

Police on Saturday shared a photo showing the damage on Facebook. Police said 160 crosses were damaged, and at least 20 of those were completely destroyed.



Police, firefighters with the Henderson Fire Department and citizen volunteers worked to clean up the mess, as police worked to obtain surveillance video.



Henderson police on Saturday afternoon posted surveillance video showing the suspect vehicle, which police said appeared to be a late 70s model car, possibly a Ford Thunderbird, possibly dark blue in color with "T-Tops."



About two hours later, police posted an update, saying an arrest had been made.

The suspect in this case was arrested for first degree criminal mischief and leaving the scene of an accident.

The suspect vehicle, a 1979 Ford Thunderbird, was found abandoned at a McDonald's restaurant -- and police said pieces of a cross and stake to hold the cross were found embedded in the tires.

Police thanked officers, 911 dispatchers, firefighters, Henderson County Sheriff's deputies and citizens for helping them to quickly make an arrest.

The Memorial Day ceremony at Central Park will go on as scheduled -- at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 30th.